How Radiant Barriers Work
Definitions:
- Radiant Heat: an invisible movement of heat. Heat transferred by radiation travels through space without heating the space. Heat is absorbed by the first solid object it encounters.
- Radiant Barrier: a material which blocks/reflects radiant heat. Generally made from Aluminum, they block 95-97% of radiant heat.
- Emissivity: the amount of heat which is "emitted" or radiated off of a surface to the surrounding air.
- Reflect: to bend back; to give a backward turn to; to throw back; especially, to cause to return after striking upon any surface; as, a mirror reflects rays of light.
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There are two properties on which radiant barriers work: Reflectivity and Emissivity. First, the aluminum is reflective on the hot side, reflecting some of the heat back from where it came. Second, and most importantly, aluminum has a low emissivity of between 0.03 and 0.05. This means that only 3% to 5% of the heat is emitted to the air on the cold side. In order to benefit from both of these properties, the radiant barrier must be double sided (aluminum on both sides) and installed so that there is an air space or low density material (like insulation) on both sides.
In an attic with no radiant barrier, radiant heat from the hot roof travels down through the open space and is absorbed by attic insulation, ductwork, and air handlers.
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Summer
In the summer, the main source of your home's wasted energy is caused by the heat that your home gains when the roof and walls of your home absorb the radiant heat coming from the sun. The hot roof will conduct this heat towards the attic space, and the heat will eventually be radiated into the attic. With Radiant Barrier installed, most of this radiated heat is reflected back towards the outside. Without Radiant Barrier installed, this radiated heat is collected into the attic space or the interior of your home. This heat will penetrate the insulation and radiate into the house. In fact regular insulation does little to stop radiated heat; it just absorbs and holds the heat. In addition, the Air Conditioner and Ductwork absorb attic heat, which is then blown into the house. A properly installed Radiant Barrier blocks 97% of this radiant heat, saving you money year after year.
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Illustration showing summer savings
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Winter
In the winter, a major source of your home's wasted energy is caused by heat (which originates from a home's furnace) that is lost by your home when it rises up from the interior of the home and escapes through the ceiling into the attic and then out through the roof. Heat is also radiated in all directions through the ceiling, walls and floor. In order to keep the home comfortable, more energy must be expended to replace the lost heat. Radiant Barrier drastically reduces this wasted energy by reflecting most of the rising heat back towards the interior of the building, keeping your home warmer and reducing your heating bills. As the cost of natural gas and electricity continues to increase, payback times keep dropping and are now often less then one year.
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Illustration showing winter savings
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Proceed to Selecting the Proper Material
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